Had a serious debate with myself this morning regarding the concept of control. I have never been a student of this concept – I am probably a student of chaos if there is such a school. Chaos in the sense of how I go about my life, constantly inviting change, constantly thriving in uncertainty. However – the 365 commitment has started me down the path of self mastery. Now that I am 125 days in, I am starting to admit to my internal self that some level of control of oneself is a necessary ingredient for lasting success.
Of course I always have known this on some level. I have striven to cut out anything that I felt was distracting me, so that is probably an element of self control. However, beyond abstaining from destructive behavior I have not been much for implementing control in my daily life. I am now at the point where I am exerting significant control over certain aspects of my life. For example, waking up at the same time every morning. This is a control – it prevents behavior that might lead to not accomplishing some of my 365 objectives. Running every morning – this is a form of control. I am physically forcing myself to overcome weariness, fatigue and mental discouragement. Deciding on what is important to me each morning is a form of control. I am no longer allowing other influences to control what is important to me today.
In considering this concept of self control – I am starting to realize a bit of a pathway. You have to exert self control before you can control your environment. If you are not in control of your behavior you will have very little hope of controlling your environment. Thinking beyond that – if you do not have control of your environment you are going to have little hope of controlling the influence of others, or at least controlling your relationships with others.
The debate I am having, and not quite solved for, is if that is the correct flow or end state of self control. I have viewed this commitment to build good habits from the lens that good habits will produce better results for me. That is certainly true, I absolute faith in that now, but now I am starting to realize that perhaps the ultimate aim is not to win the fight but rather maintain control of myself during the fight.
How very Zen of me. Hmm. The rugged individualist in me screams – no! I will not be controlled – I will flare up in a light of intense flame and strive for greatness at all times – however maybe there is some truth to burning a quiet flame that gets the job done and does so over a long period of time.
Guy Reams (125)
365 Member
